Andy Rourke, the Smiths’ Bassist, Dies at 59

Andy Rourke, bassist for the influential British rock band the Smiths, has died after a long illness due to pancreatic cancer. He was 59.

The Smiths’ guitarist, Johnny Marr, posted on Twitter on Friday: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans. We request privacy at this sad time.”

The Smiths were formed in Manchester in 1982 by singer Morrissey, Marr, Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. Morrissey and Marr were the band’s songwriters. They signed with Rough Trade Records in 1983 and their first album, “The Smiths,” was released in 1984. Hit albums include” Meat Is Murder” (1985), “The Queen Is Dead” (1986) and “Strangeways, Here We Come” (1987). Rourke’s work can be heard on several of the Smiths’ hit songs including “This Charming Man” and “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.”

When the band broke up in 1987, Rourke continued to work with Morrissey, playing on his first few solo singles but over the years, Morrissey and Rourke’s friendship crumbled. This was mainly due to Rourke and Joyce suing Morrissey and Marr in 1989 over royalties, with both arguing they were owed an equal share of earnings since they only earned 10% each of the group’s performance and recording royalties. Rourke ended up settling the case and continued to work with Morrissey on songs like “The Last of the Famous International Playboys” and “November Spawned a Monster.”

Later in Rourke’s career, he played with FreeBass, D.A.R.K., Sinéad O’Connor, the Pretenders, Ian Brown and Badly Drawn Boy.

On Friday, Morrissey eulogized his former bandmate on his website with a post titled “beam of light.”

“When someone dies, out come the usual blandishments … as if their death is there to be used. I’m not prepared to do this with Andy. I just hope … wherever Andy has gone … that he’sOK.He will never die as long as the music is heard… I suppose, at the end of it all, we hope to feel that we were valued. Andy need not worry about that,” he wrote.

A longer tribute post came from Marr, who shared a series of photos and penned a nostalgic dedication to Rourke on his Instagram.

“Andy and I met as schoolboys in 1975. We were best friends, going everywhere together,” Marr writes. “Throughout our teens we played in various bands around South Manchester before making our reputations with The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, and it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player. I was present at every one of Andy’s bass takes on every Smiths session. Sometimes I was there as the producer and sometimes just as his proud mate and cheerleader. Watching him play those dazzling baselines was an absolute privilege and genuinely something to behold.”

Joyce tweeted: “Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.”

The Smiths’ producer, Stephen Street, said: “I am so saddened to hear this news! Andy was a superb musician and a lovely guy. I haven’t been able to read any other news about details yet but I send my deepest condolences and thoughts to his friends and family,”

Badly Drawn Boy added: “The Smiths were easily the most important band of my teens. I was beyond honoured when Andy played bass with me on tour for 2 years. He was the coolest, kindest funniest person, a joy to tour with. Probably the best natural musician I’ve ever seen. Loved him. Gutted,”